Connector angle

ABSTRACT

An improved connector angle member is provided to secure a tight, stable connection between a plurality of structural members while eliminating any looseness in the connection and enabling easier installation. The interior surface of a leg of the connector angle member has protrusions extending inward to secure a tight, stable fit with a corresponding structural member, such as a column, and to take-up slack during installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present inventions relate generally to a connector angle and, more particularly, to an improved connector angle member that eliminates looseness when the connector angle member is connected to another structural member. The present inventions are particularly advantageous when used in the storage rack industry. However, they are equally applicable to a wide variety of other applications.

[0002] In many rack applications, for example, pallets for storing goods may be placed on a pair of beams supported by columns at the end of the beams. In addition, pallets with goods may also be placed on rolling carts and then pushed along a pair of parallel rails. A typical pushback rack system includes a pair of rails for receiving rolling carts. The rows of rails are carried on horizontal beams, which are typically perpendicular to the rails. A plurality of columns support the beams, and provide support for the rack system. In other systems, such as drive-in racks and stacker crane racks, cantilever type brackets are used instead of a beam spanning from column to column. Important considerations in all such systems are the ease of assembly as well as the resultant stability of the support structure.

[0003] By way of example, the horizontal beams of pushback rack and many other types of storage systems are connected to the vertical columns or brackets using sections of standard structural steel angles. These angles are typically welded on to each end of a beam and then fastened to a column or other bracket through the use of fasteners. Connector angles are used in the industry for a variety of reasons. For example, they may provide increased bending resistance that is needed or desirable in some applications. They may be useful when additional bolts are needed to make the proper connection in certain applications. They may also be used to accommodate different elevations between the various components to be connected. However, the use of standard structural steel angles as connecting members (as opposed to specially formed plates or brackets), although readily available and fairly inexpensive, can lead to difficulties in installation and structural weakness when installed.

[0004] Specifically, on the standard structural angles typically used as connectors, the interior angle portion where the two legs meet is rounded as a result of the manufacturing process. This rounded, semi-circular inside radius results in an initial looseness between the interior of the connector angle and the relatively square exterior of another structural member to which it is to be attached, such as a channel. In a typical rack system, for example, horizontal forces resulting from seismic activity, wind or other forces result in side sway or angular changes created in the connection between the beam and the column, leading to instability and difficulty in installation. It is, therefore, desirable to have a standard structural connector angle member which eliminates the looseness between two corresponding structural members whose connection is being secured by a connector angle member. It is desirable to have a connector angle member that will assume a right-angle connection between the angle member and the corresponding structural member by virtue of a tight fit between the two members. It is also desirable to have a connector angle member that may be used in conjunction with the beam to column connection inventions disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,091.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present inventions preserve the advantages of typical structural connector angle members and also provide new features and advantages. For example, the present inventions provide a connector angle member that allows for the use of standard structural angles having an interior angle with a rounded, semicircular inside radius, while also providing a tight, stable fit when connected to the generally square exterior of another structural member, thereby increasing stability and making installation easier and more accurate. This is accomplished through the use of protrusions which extend from the interior surface of one leg or flange of the connector angle member which takes out the looseness caused by the rounded interior of the angle. Such a connector angle member can accommodate a wide variety of beams, brackets and columns, or other corresponding structural members. Moreover, the protrusions may be easily formed on the leg of the angle by using a press brake, punch press or other forming equipment or by attaching a spacer and/or other ways that will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a typical rack system is provided having a plurality of vertical columns which are attached to and provide support to a plurality of brackets and their associated members. The vertical columns may be made of structural steel channels. For example, a horizontal, load bearing beam is equipped with a connector angle member on each end, typically by welding, which is then connected to the vertical column. One leg of the connector angle member may be provided with holes which are designed to align with corresponding holes in the vertical column. A fastener, such as a nut and bolt, may be used with the corresponding holes to attach the connector angle member (with affixed beam) to the column. Even more preferably, the holes of the connector angle member and the vertical column are offset as taught and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,091 to provide the tightest connection when used in conjunction with the present inventions. The second leg of the improved connector angle member has two protrusions extending inward, which bridge the gap and make contact between the inside surface of the connector angle member and the outside surface of the column, thereby securing a tight, stable fit between the beam and the column and enabling efficient installation.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector angle member which eliminates the sway or looseness caused by the rounded, semi-circular interior radius of the standard structural connector angle member when it is to be connected to the generally square exterior of a corresponding structural member, such as a channel or bracket.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a structural connector angle member which secures a tight, stable, right-angle connection between it and a corresponding structural member while preserving the structural integrity of the system and enabling easy installation.

[0009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a connector angle member for use in a typical rack system which secures a tight, stable connection between horizontal, load bearing beams, and vertical, channel shaped column and/or brackets.

INVENTOR'S DEFINITION OF THE TERMS

[0010] The terms used in the claims of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other features, objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which:

[0012] Attorney Docket No. 3253 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an improved connector angle member of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of a connector angle member of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a horizontal beam affixed to an improved connector angle member which is attached to a column formed from a structural channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best representative example of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

[0016] A connector angle member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventions is shown generally in the Figures. By reference to FIGS. 1-3, each of the components of the preferred embodiment will be described below with particular reference to typical rack applications which is generally shown in FIG. 3. It will be understood, however, that the present inventions may be used in a large number of other applications.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of an improved connector angle member 1 is shown. Connector angle member 1 includes a first leg 6 having an interior surface 8 and exterior surface 9, and a second leg 7 having an interior surface 10 and exterior surface 11. In the preferred embodiment, two protrusions or dimples 4 extend from the interior surface 8 of the first leg 6. The protrusions 4 of the preferred embodiment are formed by using a press brake to create the dimples on the desired leg or flange of the connector angle member 1. Sets of holes 5 are cut on the second leg 7 and allow for the connector angle member 1 to be attached to a corresponding structural member 3 by a fastening device (not shown) such as a nut and bolt (not shown).

[0018] A variety of other fastening devices or means can also be used to attach a connector angle member 1 to a corresponding structural member. Also, although two sets of holes 5 are taught in the preferred embodiment, it will also be understood that any number of holes may be used, or even none at all (such as by welding) depending upon the type structural material, and the type of attachment being made between the connector angle member and the corresponding structural member. Moreover, the holes may be slightly offset consistent with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,091.

[0019] The protrusions 4 make contact with the corresponding structural member taking up the slack created when the radiused interior 12 of the angle member 1 contacts the relatively square exterior of the channel or other member to which it is to be connected. This eliminates the looseness which occurs when making a typical connection and provides a tight, stable fit between the members once they are connected. Although the preferred embodiment teaches using two protrusions 4, one or any number can be used depending on the size of the connector angle member 1, the corresponding mating members and the type of connection to be made. Also, the preferred embodiment teaches protrusions in the form of round dimples 4, but any shape of protrusion 4 (or even fastening a spacer to the interior of the leg 9) will suffice as long as a tight, stable connection is made.

[0020] As indicated, the improved connector angle member of the present invention has particular use in the storage rack industry. FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention having a beam 2 welded to a connector angle member 1, which is then attached to a column 3. The connector angle member 1 is used to facilitate the connection between the beam 2 and the column 3 , as is typical in the storage rack industry. Two sets of holes 5 are cut on the second leg 7 of the connector angle member 1 and allow for the connector angle member 1 to be attached to a channel-shaped column 3 by a fastening device (not shown) such as in the preferred embodiment where a nut and bolt (not shown) is used. Upon installation, the dimples 4 make contact with the adjacent column 3. This eliminates the initial looseness which occurs in a typical connection and provides a tight, stable and right-angle fit between the beam 2 and the column 3 upon installation.

[0021] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention.

[0022] Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved connector angle member, comprising: a structural angle member having two flanges each with an interior and exterior surface, the interior surfaces forming a generally right interior angle; and at least one protrusion on the interior surface of one flange.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the protrusion extends inward a sufficient distance to make contact with the exterior of a structural member to which the connector angle member is to be connected.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the connector angle member is affixed to a beam or bracket and then connected to a column in a typical storage rack system.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein one protrusion is positioned equidistant from each opposite horizontal edge of the one flange of the connector angle member.
 5. In a structural angle member used as a connector of other structural components, and particularly where the interior of the structural angle member is to be attached to the exterior of another structural component such as a channel, the improvement comprising: at least one protrusion on an interior surface of said structural angle member to compensate for any looseness caused by the non-square interior of the standard angle member mating with the generally square exterior of the corresponding structural member.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein multiple protrusions are provided.
 7. The invention of claim 5 wherein the protrusions are generally rounded.
 8. The invention of claim 5 wherein the protrusions are formed by adding material to the interior surface of one leg of said angle member. 